1 July 2025
The RCSLT and STAMMA, on behalf of the Inclusive Parliament coalition, continue for a more inclusive and accessible UK Parliament for people with communication disabilities, differences, and difficulties.
Following the submission of written evidence to the House of Commons Modernisation Committee in May 2025, the Inclusive Parliament coalition—spearheaded by RCSLT and STAMMA— gave oral evidence on Tuesday, 24 June from 11:45am. It marked a significant milestone in the campaign to make Parliament more inclusive for everyone, particularly those who sign or live with communication needs.
Representing the coalition was speech and language therapist, Gillian Rudd, a long-standing contributor to this work, a member of the RCSLT’s Professional Practice and Policy Committee, and a former STAMMA trustee.
The Inclusive Parliament coalition, made up of over 30 organisations, had already submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Committee. These include:
- Creating acoustically and visually quiet spaces to support sensory and communication needs.
- Standardising accessible signage and wayfinding using symbols and plain English.
- Establishing a centralised fund for British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
- Reforming procedures that currently limit participation for MPs with communication difficulties, including fixed speaking times and rigid debate formats.
Gillian highlighted evidence across all those areas and concluded with a powerful call to MPs to reflect on the culture of the House of Commons and what that says to people with communication disability, difficulty, or difference.
The coalition also supports systemic reforms such as a centralised reasonable adjustments register, and improved access to information for both MPs and the public, including through easy read, BSL, and captioned formats. We will be following up with the Committee on this issue.
These recommendations were reinforced by evidence heard during previous Committee sessions, which highlighted chronic overstimulation, lack of structured support, and persistent physical and procedural barriers across the Parliamentary estate.
See our previous statement for more details on our work to date.
